July 20, 2020 to July 24, 2020
With the loss of Representative John Lewis, I’m reminded again that there are always those who came before us, and there will be those who come after us. We are merely part of the movement, but our conviction matters.
Representative Lewis spent his life fighting for the things he believed in, and he knew that what he wanted would take more than his lifetime to achieve, yet he committed his life to it. He dedicated his life to protecting human rights, securing civil liberties, and building what he calls “The Beloved Community” in America. He fought for these things till the end. So, he was not just a hero and a national conscience in Congress, but he demonstrated how to consistently make good trouble. As he put it, we must “[g]et in trouble, good trouble, necessary trouble.” He believed in the power of our democracy and got into good trouble throughout his life fighting for and protecting it.
Today, the politics of exclusion and fear continue to chipp away at voting rights (especially against BIPOC communities), yet we cannot afford to give in so easily when it comes to ensuring we can vote this year where almost every seat in our local, state and national elected bodies are up for election.
There is good news for Asian Minnesotans, because Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders appear to vote this way already. A recent article states that “Asian American and Pacific Islander voters and all voters of color would benefit from efforts to accelerate and expand voting by mail…[and] 23 percent of Asian American and Pacific Islander voters are habitual users of voting by mail, the highest among all racial groups.” Though that’s a good showing for voting by mail, in this critical year during this public health crisis, it is important that we all request for our absentee ballot now.
Voting is just one act in the large schematic of social justice movement work, but it is one of the most important actions we can take. So many who came before us fought for this right; now we must exercise that right and protect it for future generations.
In community,
Bo Thao-Urabe
Executive & Network Director
State of Asian Minnesotans Series
This year we are hosting a series of webinars as a part of our State of Asian Minnesotan Series in order to take a critical look at the state and progress of Asian/Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in Minnesota, and consider what else we can do to tap into the assets of, and ensure inclusion of this community. We invite subject experts, researchers, community members, and thought leaders that increase audience knowledge, challenge and allow audiences to dive deeper in their understanding of this population, and provide new thinking and tools for audiences to consider as they work with Asian Minnesotan communities. After each session we will release a brief on the subject. Read our Brief No. 1 – Countering Xenophobia and Anti-Asian Racism, and join us for our third session on August 27, 2020 for Unmasked: Visibility and Survival in the Age of COVID-19. Registration and more information coming soon.
Collected Resources for Asians Wanting to be in Solidarity for Black Lives
We’ve put together a list of resources to support Asian Minnesotans who want to be in solidarity for Black lives. Among the resources are materials on addressing anti-Black racism, how-to’s, art, curriculum, collected readings/articles, resources on police alternatives, and general anti-racist & Black liberation resources for non-Black people. This is not an exhaustive list, but we offer these resources to support organizations and individuals who wish to deepen their analysis and understanding, show up for actions, or invest in being a part of the movement..
Accepting Applications for Spark Leadership Fund
BIPOC leaders throughout Minnesota can apply for micro-funds of $500, $750, or $1,000 to carry out projects that address an urgent community need at this time. Applications are reviewed weekly. To apply, complete an application here.
Saint Paul Public Schools Board of Education Meeting
Tuesday, July 21, 2020 (6:05 PM – 9:00 PM)
The Saint Paul Public Schools Board of Education will meet via telephone or electronic means for upcoming meetings. Members of the public will be able to monitor the meeting online or tune to Saint Paul Cable Channel 16 (for cable subscribers).
Solidarity Now and Forward: an APIDA guide to supporting Black Lives Matter
Thursday, July 23, 2020 (5:00 PM – 7:00 PM)
Join the Asian American Organizing Project for a session on Reform and Abolition in Policing, and how to have tough conversations surrounding BLM within the APIDA community. Learn more about this event here.
BOBA Youth Healing Space
Tuesday, July 28 (3:00 PM – 5:30 PM)
CAAL’s Youth Program – BOBA (Becoming Organizers, Becoming Advocates) will host a collective youth healing space. This virtual space is for Asian American youth to come together to process, connect, and support each other during this pandemic and movement. In this space, we will be having an open discussion of experiences as young activists, who are navigating anti-Blackness and the model minority myth in community. Youth ages 14-18 can join by registering here.
CelebrAsian Virtual Happy Hour
Wednesday, July 29 (5:30 PM – 7:00 PM)
Join us for our first CAAL CelebrAsian event this year as we uplift the contributions and accomplishments of Asian Minnesotan leaders who are doing great things for their communities or industries. We are proud to celebrate Dr. Sarah Park Dahlen, Micah Larson, Pang Yang, and Nou Yang. RSVP here.
Report Discrimination and Bias
If you experience or witness discrimination based on race, where you come from, your immigration status, or anything else, call Minnesota’s Discrimination Helpline at 1-833-454-0148 or submit this online form. The helpline is staffed by investigators from the Minnesota Department of Human Rights. Translation/interpretation services are available.
